Froggie Visit

It was a beautiful day on Sunday, which I spent most of the day planting our garden. I was working around my raised brick pond, and I spotted this little tree frog. I’ve had several frogs visit our yard and pond over the years, but I’m not sure I’ve seen this one before.

I immediately snapped a few pictures, (I needed a break from moving dirt anyways), and sent them to my GWAPA friend and local frog expert, Corey, to identify. She tells me that it’s definitely a grey tree-frog, and from its black throat, she can tell its a male who’s been calling lately. Species-wise, it’s likely either Hyla chrysoscelis or Hyla versicolor, which are indistinguishable from one another except by their call. Thanks Corey!

It wasn’t able to get a picture of it, but when this guy hopped, he had bright orange splotches on the inside of his is thighs, which are used to startle predators. Corey says that this particular species can make a great pet, which I’m not planning on doing, but will be more than happy to see him around my pond throughout the summer.

Hopefully, he’ll bring some of his other amphibian friends, and I’ll have a pond full of interesting wildlife.